From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Deficiencies of U-bolt fitted joints for propeller shafts, with remarks from Hardy Spicer.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\4\ scan0164 | |
| Date | 9th September 1940 | |
| 1262 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Propeller Shafts. Mr. Daniell of Hardy Spicer expresses dislike for U bolt fitted joints and says that they have not thought of producing them. We quote below his remarks on their deficiencies :- "The 'U' Bolt fitting precludes standardising the G.B. and Axle Joint parts. This results in having to make individual parts for each company and several types for each according to the number of types of car made. Although the same may be said of existing companion flanges, these being circular and spigoted, lend themselves to line production on Autos. In testing at present, we can balance and whip test on master flanges, being pretty sure that what we get on machines, we shall have on the car. With 'U' bolts, the Joint has to be partly dismantled and fitted into the car to its mating parts, and there is no assurance that they will marry up as they did on test. Road test must be relied on and shafts replaced at least more frequently than the present types. Also the assembly when installed is not so rigid against weavage. The present type could be made to function in the same way, by abolishing the Companion Flange and fixing the Yokes direct to G.B. and axle, but again the Joint must be partly assembled on the Chassis line." Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Tln. | ||